Atletico confirm Chelsea favourites for Dutch goalkeeper

Chelsea are still chasing Gent’s young goalkeeper, hoping he can become the long-term successor to Peter Cech. The 19-year-old was one of the stars of the side that won the Belgium league and is thought to be one of the most talented players in the country.

Chelsea had been interested in the Belgian since the beginning of the year when a £4 million was turned down.

According to the Sun, Villas-Boas may well send him back to Genk on loan if Chelsea do manage to sign Courtois with an improved offer, or possibly to Atletico Madrid as a replacement for David De Gea.

The Atletico coach said: “There are positions where we have problems and one of them is in goal. If something bad happened we would be in trouble and so we want to strengthen in that area.”

He continued: “Courtois hasn’t been ruled out although it is complicated as Chelsea are also involved.”

Courtois has been a senior player at Genk since 2008 and broke into the first side last season, making 40 appearances. At the end of the season he was voted goalkeeper of the year and the Genk player of the year.